Wednesday, 3 September 2014

Welcome Carina romance writer, Karen Aldous...

The
Value of my Writing Class - Writing Tips

With only my debut The
Vineyard and my second novel, The
Chateau on its way, I’ve only limited experience of the publishing world
but, I know, when you start out as a writer, what it’s like to be hungry for
any tips from published authors. I did and still do admire any person who has
been published! It has been a dream of mine for so long to be among them.

So what can I offer? I’m going to start with bullet points
because that’s how I expand my thoughts:-

·Reading –
If you write, you would will know the type of book you want to write by the
books you enjoy reading. Those stories and author’s voices that sing to you
like your favourite songs. My tip would be to write the sort of novel you enjoy
but, with your own voice!

·Novels,
short-stories or articles – I started wide but then focused on what I
really dreamed of – writing a ‘Bestseller’. I aimed high, yes, but it was my
motivator.

·Write
alone or with support – This was interesting because much of what I’d
written in the past was binned! I wrote alone and never imagined my writing
good enough. I rarely sent anything out. So, when I began my mission to fulfil
my dream in January 2012, not only did I get a place on The
Romantic Novelists Association New Writers Scheme, (often abbreviated to
RNA NWS) I was extremely fortunate to also find a local writing class ‘The Write Place’ which is based in
the‘Mick Jagger Centre’ in
Dartford, Kent. New members are very welcome by the way. The weekly classes began to focus my writing.
Authors attended giving workshops and advice. Reading my work aloud, all these
essential aspects allowed my confidence to grow. And, encouraged by Elaine
Everest, the tutor to begin sending out my work instead of putting it aside or binning
it, was an enlightening moment.

·Group
Support - With two other writers in the class, Elaine Everest and Francesca
Capaldi-Burgess, also on the RNA NWS, we attended the events of the RNA
together. I got to meet so many lovely authors – and, they really are extremely
supportive of one another. Also, the RNA NWS was instrumental in giving me the
deadline to send my manuscript for professional critique. I had to complete as
much as I could before the end of August. The feedback really constructive. Again
building confidence.

·Publisher
or Agent – I learned from my classes how to approach both and many of us
attended a ‘Curtis Brown’ day where we had the chance to pitch directly to the
agent. It was a great experience which again, makes you focus on writing a
synopsis and first chapters for submission. I also attended a one-to-one with a
Mills & Boon Editor at the Festival of Romance who liked my synopsis and
first three chapters and advised me to send my manuscript to CarinaUK once
complete.

The rest, as they say is history. Albeit a short one. I
received a two-book contract several weeks later with CarinaUK and my second
book The Chateau is coming soon…My
specific advice would be to write your novel. Get the first draft complete and
then work on it from there. You at least have the opportunity to get feedback
if you begin sending your work out. Then begin the next. My aim now is to get
better and write more. I wish you all good luck and would have to recommend a
similar route to publication.

It’s been
five years, and Lizzie Lambert has decided it’s time to try to make things
right with her estranged mother. She’s made a success of things in Cannes,
she’s bringing up a lovely little boy on her own, and she’s ready to put the
past behind her.

But it seems
Lizzie’s mother has moved on as well. She’s moved her toyboy – a muscle-bound
vintner named Cal – into the family home, and given him the run of the land
that was meant to be Lizzie’s inheritance!

Cal’s wine
business frequently takes him to France, and suddenly wherever Lizzie goes,
he’s already there – meddling, giving unsolicited advice, saving her little
boy’s life and stealing her heart. But none of this changes the fact that he’s
her mother’s lover…

'Not
since Peter Mayle has anyone captured the essence of Provence and Karen Aldous
does it vividly. Settle back with a glass of wine and experience the
Vineyard for yourself.' - Elder Park Book Reviews

'A delightful romantic comedy that tales place amidst the beauty
of France, with plenty of wine and laughter.' - cayocosta72

Karen
Aldous enjoys village life on the edge of the north-downs in Kent with easy
access to the buzz of London. Not only does she love the passive pleasures of
reading and writing, she also craves the more active pursuits with her family
and friends such as walking, cycling and skiing especially when they involve
food and wine!

Karen gets much of her inspiration from her travels and if she had to choose,
France, Greece, Switzerland and Italy would be her favourite. However, wherever
she goes, she discovers a new character emerges in 'Karen's World'. She likes
to write about strong independent women who can direct their own lives - but
struggle to control them! And, of course there's always a gorgeous hunk or two!

5 comments:

Thank you so much Rachel for being host for 'The Vineyard' Book Tour - it's a real pleasure to be a guest on a fellow Harlequin authors' blog site! May I wish your readers good luck too in the Giveaway!

An interesting blog post and great to read Karen's journey to being publoshed. Thank you for mentioing The Write Place. WE currently have eight students who are either members of the RNA NWS or full members. Lots of novels being published at the moment and recently a second agent was secured by those who attend. I'm so proud of all students!

I too am a student of The Write Place and like Karen I appreciate I wouldn’t have achieved as much – two books published and representation by an agent - had I not found such a great creative writing school. Several of us attend RNA events, parties, the conference and chapter meetings. It is a joy to be a member of the writing community.

Karen, I wish you every success with The Chateau and look forward to reading it when it’s published.